A liquid crystal composition containing at least one compound represented by formula (1) as a first component and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formulas (2) and (3), but not containing a compound represented by formula (4), and having a negative dielectric anisotropy: ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl or alkenyl; R.sup.2 is alkyl or alkoxy; R.sup.3 is alkyl or alkoxymethyl; R.sup.4 is alkyl; R.sup.6 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy; A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are independently 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; A.sup.3 is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene; Z.sup.1 is a single bond or --COO--; and n is 0 or 1.